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YOUTH PROFILE<br />
Kaitlyn and her brother<br />
Alexis said they were<br />
blessed by the generosity<br />
of MCH benefactors<br />
during the Christmas<br />
season. They are thankful<br />
for the support MCH<br />
provides their family.<br />
A special Christmas celebration<br />
With a family of five siblings<br />
and a single mother, Alexis<br />
and Kaitlyn had limited resources<br />
and their mother was<br />
struggling to make ends meet.<br />
Methodist Children’s Home<br />
has given the family a solution<br />
during this hard time and<br />
provided a stable, caring environment<br />
for Waco residents<br />
Alexis and Kaitlyn. When<br />
the Christmas season came<br />
around at MCH, what could<br />
have been a difficult time for<br />
these two turned out to be an<br />
exciting celebration.<br />
Thanks to the kindness<br />
of benefactors, Alexis<br />
and Kaitlyn had a memorable<br />
Christmas. The two have<br />
been surprised by the generosity<br />
they have received at<br />
MCH, and Sheila Kendricks,<br />
Alexis’s unit manager, said<br />
it took him some time to become<br />
accustomed to it.<br />
“Alexis is amazed every<br />
time he needs something, and<br />
we say we will get it for him.<br />
He used to ask if he would<br />
have to pay us back, but now<br />
he is just grateful,” Kendricks<br />
said. “He had a big smile on<br />
his face during the Christmas<br />
activities. He was excited<br />
when opening his gifts and<br />
ready to enjoy his presents.”<br />
Kaitlyn had a similar experience<br />
during Christmas at<br />
her home unit. As one of the<br />
youngest residents, her wish<br />
list consisted of smaller, less<br />
expensive presents which<br />
meant she ended up with the<br />
most presents under the tree.<br />
Sharon Francis, Kaitlyn’s<br />
unit manager, said they had<br />
to be sure to start and end<br />
the gift opening rotation with<br />
Kaitlyn. Alexis and Kaitlyn<br />
know these gifts came from<br />
caring friends who help<br />
youth like them.<br />
“I give thanks to the people<br />
who gave to us,” Alexis<br />
said.<br />
Kaitlyn added, “They’re<br />
very special because they donate<br />
money every year.”<br />
These two siblings have<br />
also shown their own generosity<br />
since becoming MCH<br />
residents. When they received<br />
their allowance, both went<br />
shopping to buy gifts for their<br />
younger siblings. Both have<br />
also learned to become more<br />
responsible by helping with<br />
chores in their home units.<br />
“Alexis is very helpful in<br />
the unit, always willing to do<br />
extra chores. He seems to get<br />
personal satisfaction out of<br />
helping others,” Kendrick said.<br />
During their time at<br />
MCH, Alexis and Kaitlyn<br />
have shown great improvement<br />
in their communication,<br />
respect for authority,<br />
and relationship with their<br />
mother. Francis said she enjoys<br />
working with the family<br />
and said their mother is very<br />
proud of their progress since<br />
they came to live at MCH.<br />
Alexis and Kaitlyn are doing<br />
well at MCH and working to<br />
improve their lives.<br />
“MCH is not just about<br />
having fun. It’s to help us<br />
get better. It’s for a reason,”<br />
Alexis said.<br />
18 <strong>Sunshine</strong> I Winter 2013
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